Papi's RS Max Nano XL

[pgooden]

Starting up a new tank. Got out of the hobby after a move from Texas. I had sold everything, wish I had a do-over on that since I am now rebuying everything...LOL. I had purchased a 150 gal but it had a small leak during a leak test (being replaced by manufacturer) but I needed to scratch the itch so I picked up a Red Sea Max Nano G2 XL (125 L) AIO tank. Hoping to inspire my 2 year old grandson with the project!

I am mostly using this thread to track what I am doing, hold myself accountable, document and learn. I welcome feedback and thoughts along the way if anyone is interested. Planning for a bit of mixed reef, mostly softies, LPS, zoa etc...with a couple of clowns and other nano appropriate inhabitants.

I am planning to use the "Lasse Method" as best I can.
added:

• 20 lbs of special grade live sand in a bag
• 19 lbs of Marco rocks
• Mixed Red Sea Salt measuring 34.8 with Hannah Salinity checker in the tank
• Running the ReefLED 50 on acclimation mode for now, I am not sure if this light will be enough but starting with it and planning to get a PAR meter off amazon to check.
• Added a heater and set the controller to 78
• Running skimmer without the cup for aeration

Today - Planning to add:

• a chunck of Live Rock (1-2 lbs) from LFS to seed the system
• Fritzyme Turbo 9
• 1 well-fed healthy fish (clown?)

Questions -

1. Can I add the live rock to seed the system and then remove later? I have a scape I like and didn't use the live rock in the scape. I guess I could break it up into smaller chuncks and put it in the overflow? Thoughts?
2. I want 2 clowns for the tank, should I just get them both now and use the same "Lasse Method" feeding strategy, or start with just 1 and is it ok to add the second later?

Thanks for following along and being a part of this journey!

 

[Reefer911]

Yeah you need that rock in the system somewhere so it can become colonized

 

[pgooden]

Better picture from today, clearing up nicely!

 

[Reefer911]

How much volume do you think that rock displaces?

I like these Red Sea systems but I don’t know where I’d put a UV

 

[pgooden]

How much volume do you think that rock displaces?

I like these Red Sea systems but I don’t know where I’d put a UV

112 L or 29.6 Gal running volume. I think you would have to run it like a HOB or something. I did order the 5 Gal ATO can, ATO+ and reefMat Nano.

 

[pgooden]

Update and question -

• Picked up a 2.5 lbs piece of ocean live rock at LFS. Said it had been in their rock tank for months because nobody want to pay the price. It has some nice purple on it but not a lot of bio diversity. Hoping it will help to kickstart the seeding and cycle.

• I also added a 16 oz bottle of Fritz zyme 9, directly to the tank.
• Added 1 small but healthy clownfish.

• Put my reefLED 50 in acclimation mode

My plan for the week:
feed the clownfish today (4 or 5 mysis shrimp) , same amount again Wednesday and Saturday, then start slowly ramping feeding to every other day for the next week.
Dose Fritz zyme 9 every day. QUESTION @Lasse , I have a pretty low live to dry rock ratio and I’m not sure how much Fritz zyme 9 to dose per day.

The instructions for new tank:
119 ml per 19 L
For established tanks:
60 ml per 19 L

What should my daily dose be? Thanks for any help!

 

[mariano]

you should only use fritz Once, that’s what i did to cycle my tank, i also used live rock to speed process (but it’s sitting in the sump)
For the fish. I feed my fish 2x a day. Since the first day. So i recommend feeding your fish 2x a day. Specially in a new tank.
I would recommend a small wave maker if you can.

 

[jimyedy15]

Looks good! I really like those Red Sea G2 nanos. I love the idea of the ATO+ too. They seem very well thought out and lots of options for equipment in a nano AIO. I assume the whole “leak” issue has been remedied with the G2 as well. The Red Sea ecosystem is very appealing to me.

 

[pgooden]

Thanks Mariano for checking out and the feedback. Your tank is really nice. What was your ratio of dry to live rock? I only have about 10% live + 20 lbs of “live” sand in a bag. I thought the reason for low feeding and daily dosing was to slowly match the fish ammonia ramp to the bacteria dosing until it’s all established. I know I can’t “overdose” so may just keep adding the maintenance dose every few days for first 2 weeks.

 

[pgooden]

Looks good! I really like those Red Sea G2 nanos. I love the idea of the ATO+ too. They seem very well thought out and lots of options for equipment in a nano AIO. I assume the whole “leak” issue has been remedied with the G2 as well. The Red Sea ecosystem is very appealing to me.

Yeah, I am a sucker for the Red Seas. Had a reefer 250 before this. I’m not a fanboy, I know they have had their issues and I don’t always agree with their “formulas” - dosing NoPox in a brand new setup …but they care about the hobby and put a TON of thought into their tanks, systems etc... 5 year warranty is nice as well.

 

[Lasse]

I would do a maintiance dosing of fritz the two first weeks and following the feeding schedule I suggest in the 15 steps article.

Sincerely Lassr

 

[pgooden]

@Lasse , thanks much for the reply and guidance.

 

[pgooden]

Ok, sorry I haven’t updated in a while. Here is where we are. I have been letting the tank cycle and dosing th Fritz 9 turbo start with the clownfish. The salt I used was the regular red sea salt and I purchased Hanna Checkers for HR Nitrate, Phosphate ULR, Alk and Salinity. I also have Salifert Ammonia test kit and some Amazon cheap PH meter.

Salinity is consistently 35.1
Temp 77-78 degrees
PH is reading consistently high 8.4 - 8.7
Ammonia - 0
DKh was oddly low went from 6.5 to 5.7
Nitrate - 0.0 every time
Phos - started .07 then today jumped to .18

Feeding only frozen mysis shrimp, about 1/10 of a cube. Small amounts to let fish eat and stop after he seemed to slow down.

Last weekend I added a small CUC as I didn’t want to starve them.
1- cleaner shrimp
4 - blue-legged hermit crab
2 - cerith snails
5 - nassarius snails
2 - margarita snails
1 - Astria snail

All still alive and come out very active when I feed.

The live rock I added has hair algae in spots, about 2” long. The glass has started to develop algae on it and some light dusting on the sandbed.

. However, I was worried about the low Alk so I started slowly raising that using Red Sea Foundation B to try to get it up to 8.5. I am only trying to raise it about .4 DKh per day. Currently at 6.8DKh. Doesn’t seem to be coming up as fast as I thought it would and curious why it would be so low to begin with given dry rock and fish only.

My phosphates doubling over the course of 2 days (.07 to 1.8) while nitrates stay at 0 is a potential issue. I did start to feed a little more to ensure CUC didn’t die but still only about 1/10 cube.

Also PH measuring high but I think that is a meter issue. Ordering calibration solution for it.

I don’t want to chase the numbers or panic as it is a new system so I am inclined to let it continue to run its course. As you look at the numbers, any thoughts?

Tank Pics:

Hair Algea on Live Rock Piece


Back Glass with some Algea

Full Tank


Thanks for following along!